Puzzle.



J. WALL.

PUZZLE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. a, 1909.

968,296. Patented Aug. 23, 1910 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN WALL, OF WHITMAN, MASSACHUSETTS.

PUZZLE.

T 0 all whom all may concern:

Be it known that I, J ornv WALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Whitman, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Puzzles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of puzzle-contrivances in which a plurality of loose and movable members, such as small marbles or other balls are confined within a box or casing together with a socketed member; the game or test of skill consisting in so manipulating the device as to place 1133116 balls in the recesses of the socketed mem- The present invention has for its object to produce a device of this class in which a socketed member of peculiar construction shall be pivotally supported within the box or casing, thus adding to the difficulty of manipulation.

A further object of the invention is to so construct the socketed member as to present additional difficulties in the way of causing the balls to enter into the recesses or sockets.

Still further objects of the invention are to simplify and improve the construction and operation of this class of devices.

WVith these and other ends in view which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described. and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing has been illustrated a simple and preferred form of the invention; it being however understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of the invention may be resorted to when desired.

In the drawing: Figure l is a perspective view of a game or puzzle board constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same showing the balls in engagement with the socketed member. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken in the plane indicated by the line 8-3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a plan view showing a blank which may be profitably employed in the manufacture of the socketed member.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 8, 1909.

Patented Aug. 23, 1910.

Serial No. 516,781.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like characters of reference.

The casing of the improved device consists of a shallow box B which may be of any desired shape and dimensions; in its preferred form it will probably be made square, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2; wood, metal, cardboard or other suitable material may be employed in the manufacture of the box which is preferably provided with a cover 5 of transparent material such as glass.

At or near the center of the box is located a pin or pivotal member 6, the same extending upwardly from the bottom 7 of the box into which it may be inserted, said pin being preferably extended through a convex bearing-disk 8 of small size, the same resting upon the bottom of the box.

9 is a hub that is pivotally supported upon the pin 6, said hub being provided with spokes or arms 10 extending in diametrically opposite directions, anda third arm or spoke 11 forming a pendant that extends approximately at right angles to the arms 1010, between the latter. The arms 10-10 and 11 are provided with cups or sockets 12 adjacent to their terminal ends, said sockets opening in the direction of the outer wall of the box or casing, that is to say, upwardly when the pendent arm 11 extends downwardly as will appear by reference to Fig. 2. It is obvious that the terms upwardly and downwardly are used in a relative sense and are applicable only when the device is held or supported in an upright position, the box or casing being set on edge; in playing the game to solve the puzzle, the box or casing is however held in an approximately horizontal position although it will be moved or tilted slightly from side to side in order to incline the bottom sufficiently to cause the balls 15 that are confined within the box to move about and to enter into the sockets at the extremities of the arms. A number of balls may be used equal to the number of sockets at the ends of the arms, or additional balls may be used if preferred.

It is preferred to construct the hub 9 with an arcuate or convex portion 16 projecting upwardly intermediate the arms 10; the difficulty of causing the balls to enter into the sockets at the ends of said arms, being thereby obviously increased.

shows a blank of sheet metal or other suitable material from which the device may conveniently be formed, said blank including the members 10 and 11 and the lugs 1717 and 18, all cut or formed from a single piece of material and adapted to be bent upon the dotted lines as shown, thus producing a hub portion and arms extending therefrom"substantially as described. It is desired to be understood however that any suitable and convenient construction may be resorted to.

The improved puzzle or game, and the manner of solving or playing the same will be readily understood from the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawing hereto annexed. By properly manipulating the box or casing, one of the balls may be entered into the socket at the outer extremity of the arm 11 which, thus weighted, will constitute a pendulum whereby the divergent arms 10 will be held with the sockets presented upwardly while the casing is manipulated to cause the remaining balls to enter into said sockets. Some skill, and careful manipulation will be required to accomplish this result, and the game .will-be found restful and entertaining.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a device of the character described, a shallow casing, a hub pivotally supported therein and having a plurality of radiating arms provided with terminal sockets opening in the direction of the outer wall of the casing, and a plurality of balls adapted to engage said sockets.

2. In a device of the character described, a pivotally supported hub having diametrically opposite arms and anintermediate arm extending approximately at right angles to the diametrically opposite arms, said arms being provided with terminal sockets opening in the direction of the outer wall of the casing.

33. In a device of the character described, a pivotally supported hub having arms extending in diametrically opposite directions and provided with terminal sockets opening in the direction of the outer wall of the casing, said hub having an arcuate extension projecting beyond the socketed faces of the arms, said hub being also provided with a socketed pendant intermediate said arms.

4. In a device of the character described, a casing, a hub pivotally supported therein and having terminally socketed arms extending in diametrically opposite directions, an arcuate portion projecting beyond the socketed faces of said arms, and a terminally socketed pendent arm disposed intermediate the diametrically opposite arms and approximately at right angles thereto; the sockets of the arms being directed toward the outer wall of the casing all approximately in one direction and a plurality of movable objects such as balls confined within the casing.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN WVALL.

Witnesses:

MARY M. POWERS, JOANNA BARRY. 

